The Home Secretary, John Reid, who is battling with the prison overcrowding crisis caused by New Labour's failed criminal justice policies, pledged to find 2,500 prison places by the end of the year. Under new proposals drawn up by the Home Office, from June, it is intended to release early 2,500 prisoners every fortnight. It is likely that such a move will be attacked by the Tories as evidence that New Labour is going soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime. However, such a move should be welcomed because in reality New Labour had lost the plot by implementing draconian legislation and policies.
Judges and magistrates by passing more severe custodial sentences upon offenders, and the Parole Board by refusing to release those deserving to be released early on licence have only added to an already increasing problem. A successful criminal justice policy does not depend upon the prisons being filled to bursting point. That is a sign that it is failing. If law and order is working, a smaller more manageable penal system should be in operation. This can be evidenced by the examples in the Netherlands and the more enlightened systems operated by Holland and Sweden.
The plan has been leaked to The Observer, in an attempt to drum up intellectual support. Let's hope that it works because it is doubtful that the rabid rantings of The Sun would support such a sensible plan.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
No comments:
Post a Comment